Instant Steam - Oxford Catalysts
(Isis - 2157)
Oxford Catalysts was spun out of Isis in 2005, and listed on the AIM stock exchange four months later with a market capitalisation of £65 million.
This extraordinary time-line was the culmination of 19 years of research at Oxford’s world-leading Wolfson Catalysis Centre, carried out by Professor Malcolm Green and Dr Tiancun Xiao, and also years of work by Isis Innovation in funding and commercialising the research to the point where the company was able to raise funds.
In preparing to spin out Oxford Catalysts, Isis Innovation was also supported by the Oxford University Begbroke Science Park, which awarded a Technology Enterprise Fellowship to Dr Xiao funding him to support commercial development.
Oxford Catalysts Group is now a leading catalyst innovator for clean fuels, designs and develops specialty catalysts for the generation of clean fuels from both conventional fossil fuels and certain renewable sources such as bio-waste.
It has pioneered a unique chemical reaction which can be used to generate steam instantaneously, starting from room temperature, using a cheap liquid fuel alongside its patented catalysts. The markets for this innovation include cleaning, disinfecting and green energy.
Oxford Catalysts’ strategy is to license its catalysts for commercial application by entering into co-development partnerships with leading manufacturers, producers and suppliers in the petroleum, petrochemicals, biogas, steam applications and catalysis markets.
Lead Researchers: Professor Malcolm Green, Dr Tiancun Xiao
University Department: Chemistry
Date of disclosure to Isis: 2001
University Challenge Seed Fund (UCSF) Support: £124,500
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